This fall tree walk will take you deep into the island, where swamp and tidal inlet can be explored by boardwalk as willows, bald cypresses and cattails frame views of the city behind it. We’ll see autumn color among the trees as well as exciting new vistas as the leaves fall. In addition to sharing her knowledge and love of the Island’s trees, Melanie will share details of this National Park’s fascinating history.

The Potomac Gorge is one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically significant landmarks in the nation, supporting a wide range of habitats, plants, and animals, including many rare species. It has held an important place in human history since the Ice Age. Although many people are aware of sections of this treasured landscape, few know and appreciate the Potomac Gorge as a whole.

Washington DC has been known as “The City of Trees” for over 100 years. With a rich arboreal history and amazing ecological diversity, it’s easy to understand how we’ve earned this name! Join us for an exciting opportunity with DC naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of City of Trees and several other nature books, for an early spring tree tour of the historic and botanically diverse trees of the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum (the new official name of the site).

The author of the award-winning book, A Year in Rock Creek Park and the critically acclaimed City of Trees will offer her 17th year of Nature Forward walks in the country’s oldest urban national park. Under her expert guidance, you will witness the annual floral miracle of Virginia bluebells, spring beauties, and trout lilies in the floodplain forest, while the leaves of tulip tree and American beech begin to spill from their buds.

Discover the spring splendors of the Potomac Gorge, a 1,900-acre natural area spanning Maryland and Virginia, and one of the most geologically diverse places on Earth. Hiking north from Turkey Run Park along the Potomac Heritage Trail, experience the contrasting terrains of the more gentle, terraced landscape in Maryland and the steeper, dissected area in Virginia.

Enjoy a spring morning walk on a natural oasis in the Potomac with Melanie Choukas-Bradley, the author of the book Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island. The nearly 2-mile path follows the island’s shore and moves deep into the swamp and tidal inlet along the boardwalk where willows, bald cypresses, and cattails frame views of Washington, D.C.